explain plessy vs ferguson
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/plessy-v-ferguson
Plessy v. Ferguson was a landmark United States Supreme Court decision in 1896 that upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine. The case emerged from the efforts of Homer Plessy, an African American citizen in Louisiana, to challenge the state's separate railroad car act, which required racial segregation on trains.
To understand Plessy v. Ferguson, it is important to know how to research and analyze Supreme Court decisions:
1. Background research: Start with gathering essential background information about the case. Look for reliable sources like law journals, historical accounts, or academic articles to understand the context in which the case occurred. Learning about the social and political climate of the time is crucial.
2. Access primary sources: Obtain a copy of the court's opinion from official legal databases or reputable websites dedicated to legal research. Reading the actual text of the decision will provide a clear understanding of the legal reasoning and arguments presented.
3. Read the majority opinion: Identify the majority opinion, which is the official ruling of the Supreme Court. Analyze the arguments presented by the majority justices, their interpretation of relevant laws and the Constitution, and the rationale behind their decision.
4. Consider dissenting opinions: Look for any dissenting opinions issued by justices who disagreed with the majority ruling. Reading their arguments will help gain insight into alternative perspectives and the legal disputes surrounding the case.
5. Examine legal precedents: Explore any previous Supreme Court decisions that influenced or guided the Plessy v. Ferguson ruling. Considering these precedents helps understand the historical development of legal principles and how they were applied in this case.
6. Analyze the impact and consequences: Investigate the consequences of the Plessy v. Ferguson decision. Understand how this decision perpetuated racial segregation and its subsequent effects on civil rights movements, leading ultimately to its overturning in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case in 1954.
By engaging in comprehensive research and studying the primary sources related to Plessy v. Ferguson, you can gain a complete understanding of the case and its significance in American legal history.